The Board of Directors of Cascade Bicycle Club today announced a change in the Club’s Executive Director. At the Board’s request, Chuck Ayers is leaving Cascade. Peter Morgan, who has taken a leave from the Cascade Board, has been named Acting Executive Director until an interim executive director can be appointed.
Chuck led the Club during a critical time in our 40-year history, helping to grow our membership from 4,500 in 1997 to more than 13,000 members who today enjoy thousands of rides and dozens of events and educational programs every year. His efforts also have helped to position Cascade Bicycle Club as one of the strongest and most influential advocates in the nation for cyclists and cycling.
“While we are grateful for these and other accomplishments during his tenure, the Board has made the decision that Chuck is no longer the right person to lead Cascade into its next phase of growth and opportunity,” said Chris Weiss, chair of the Club’s Board of Directors.
“The Club is well positioned for a transition in leadership,” Chris added. “In addition to producing some of our region’s preeminent cycling events, Cascade’s many educational programs and its powerful advocacy have promoted real changes through the tireless efforts of our capable staff, our deeply committed volunteers, and our enlightened community sponsors. Cascade’s finances are strong and stable. We feel fortunate to enjoy the respect of our communities, our state, and many cycling enthusiasts nationwide. These strengths will allow us to recruit an exceptional new executive director.”
During the transition, Cascade will rely on an interim executive director to be named within the next several weeks. That individual will work with the Board, managers and staff to keep the club moving forward while Cascade conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent executive director.
“There will be no interruption of or changes in activities like our daily rides and major events, our advocacy efforts or our educational programs during this transition,” Chris said. “We promise that the breadth, depth and quality of services you rely on will continue.”
The Board believes this transition in leadership comes at an exciting period of growth and opportunity for the Club. As more and more people are cycling for health, recreation and environmental stewardship – and as more and more communities are seeking ways to increase their viability and livability through bicycling – they are turning to Cascade Bicycle Club for activities, advocacy and education.
“A revitalized leadership will bring fresh perspectives and ideas that enable us to remain committed to focusing on the grassroots power and passion of cyclists to improve their lives and the life of their communities,” Chris concluded.
If you have questions about the transition, or if you would like to make suggestions to assist in the search for a new executive director, please email Acting Executive Director Peter Morgan.
[...] 3:30p: Cascade sent the following release: The Board of Directors of Cascade Bicycle Club today announced a change in the Club’s Executive [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cascade Bicycle Club and Dat Nguyen, Daniel J Martin. Daniel J Martin said: RT @cascadebicycle: Cascade board of directors announces change of leadership: http://blog.cascade.org/2010/10/100410/ [...]
If this had been a professional posting, it would have simply wished Chuck well and given us a list of his many achievements. “Chuck is no longer the right person to lead Cascade into its next phase of growth and opportunity” should have been left unsaid. Either you are naive enough to believe that your opinion is the general opinion, or you are insecure in your action and therefore trying to prove why you made your decision. It especially sounds strange in the context of his many achievements which you then expound. You could have handled this with grace and respect. Instead, it has the taste of bitterness and amateurity.
I agree with Donna. As a long time rider and having had a recent re-kindling of the sport after moving to the area via Boulder…this is pretty low-pro, and huge turn-off. Being the “target audience”, for which this move was said to be a membership catalyst for, it just reeks of overtones that caused me leave the sport…ironic.
In fairness to M.J. Kelly, the poster of this blog entry, the “Chuck is no longer the right person” passage was a quote from Mr. Weiss. Calling out Ms. Kelly for an unprofessional posting or for expressing an opinion is a bit misdirected since this is a blog, not a press release.
Press release or blog, this was handled about as poorly as it could possibly have been handled. I do not hold staff accountable for this – this is wholly a reflection on the CBC Board.
The timing of this putsch is clearly in the category of unbelievable…if indeed the release of Chuck Ayres from his position (one he has held with uncommon grace and effectiveness for many years) relates to a change in policy, direction or style of the organization, then does it not behoove the CBC Board to engage in at least SOME sort of discussion with its membership about this new direction? As ungracious and ham-handed as the announcement is, the question of direction is vastly more important.
CBC has always been about advocacy, education and its members. I’m unclear right now whether this action reflects a concern for any of these core values, or if there are any values left to discuss. What I do know – as a longtime member, advocate and bicycle planning professional is that we have accomplished more in the past five years in this city than the previous twenty-five, and the credit goes to Chuck, Dave and an amazing staff – and thousands of members who have supported this organization and its mission.
It remains to be seen whether or not the CBC Board can sustain this level of progress and meaningful advocacy with an undefined and diluted corporate model – we went through this with USA Cycling a few years back and we are still reeling from the backlash.
It remains to be seen if the organization that has become the envy of US bicycle advocacy maintains its record of achievement or has instead turned the corner into irrelevance.
For the moment, I’m simply stunned that the Board has acted in this manner without any perceptible outreach to the individuals it claims to represent. I heard recently that it’s very easy to identify an effective leader – they’re the ones with the arrows in their ass. After yesterday, Chuck should pluck and then wear those arrows like a crown.
Chuck and staff – congratulations on a job very well done. Good luck to the CBC Board as well – they’ll need it.
Phil Miller
Redmond
[...] Cascade Bike Club director Chuck Ayers is out. [...]
Phil Miller’s comments echo mine. This decision should not have been made without some discussion and consideration of Cascades 14,000 members. How the Board individually voted should be reported to the membership. While Group Health’s sponsorship of Cascade events has undoubted helped in building membership and staff, it’s corporate policies should not govern or affect advocacy policies overwhelmingly supported by Cascade’s membership.
Phil and Bill-
I agree that the larger directional and cultural re-orientation is the key issue here. The more recent statement from Chris Weiss hints at a little more backstory, but this is still voiced in platitudes and mushy prose. I have seldom seen so little said in so many words.
Consequently, we are left with the impression that the Board has ambitions but no clear vision for the future. You would think they would have charted this new vision in collaboration with the members before they started their campaign of “transition in leadership”. It is likely they are just going on a fishing expedition — guided by ambition, not clear goals — at the expense of Chuck and the club.
This situation ultimately was set in motion by the (stealth) 2008 change in bylaws that turned Cascade from a member-driven club to a board-driven organization. The board is self-appointed and there is no mechanism for members to affect change except by board recall. It might make sense to do that now rather than later since the damage to the club is already done.
http://cascade.org/About/pdf/Cascade-Bicycle-Club-bylaws_2008.pdf
See Article XIII Section 2:
“The slate of directors recommended by the Nominating Committee shall be
presented to the Board not later than its August Board meeting for the Board’s review and approval. The final slate submitted to the General Membership for election at the Annual Business Meeting shall include those candidates for director recommended by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.”
[...] let me thank you for your ongoing support and your commitment to the Club. Since we announced the Board of Directors’ decision on Monday to make a change in our Executive Directo…, some of you have asked for more information about why we made the decision. On behalf of the [...]
[...] their announcement of the leadership change, the Board did not mention “transportation” anywhere, focusing more on bicycles as [...]
I’d sure like to know more about the funding of CBC. With only 13,000 members, how can the director be paid $80,000-$120,000? How can there be 20 paid employees?
I know that Group Health Cooperative pays for the STP as part of its advertising budget. (Is Peter Morgan the same Peter Morgan that is an executive at Group Health?) Do other large corporations contribute as well? Do our taxes pay for any of CBC’s efforts? When did CBC cease to be a bicycle club and become a lobbying organization?
I really think we need to know more about this… and to follow the money. CBC has a big influence on taxpayer spending in Seattle, given only 13,000 members.
‘Chuck led the Club during a critical time in our 40-year history, helping to grow our membership from 4,500 in 1997 to more than 13,000 members who today enjoy thousands of rides and dozens of events and educational programs every year. His efforts also have helped to position Cascade Bicycle Club as one of the strongest and most influential advocates in the nation for cyclists and cycling.
“While we are grateful for these and other accomplishments during his tenure, the Board has made the decision that Chuck is no longer the right person to lead Cascade into its next phase of growth and opportunity,” said Chris Weiss, chair of the Club’s Board of Directors.’
This shocking Cascade board action seems appropriate for an organization making the switch from a responsible, activist, environmentally sound cycling club by and for cyclists into an organization becoming nothing more than a political machine feeding on itself.
I hope I’m wrong.
btw: Group Health is the only business in Bremerton/Kitsap County who refused to allow a flyer announcing the 1st major COPD Seattle public event in Washington state by the non-profit, American Lung Association of Washington.
Funny thing, two of the speakers were employed by Group Health!
Sharon O’Hara, COPD and Other Stuff
reader/patient blog, Kitsap Sun
[...] the board’s decision on October 4 to make a change in the executive directorship of the Club, many members have expressed questions [...]
[...] the board’s decision on October 4 to make a change in the executive directorship of the Club, many members have expressed questions [...]
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